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Before You Quit the Band, Read This!
When to Step Away from a Pipe Band Relationship There’s no perfect time to leave a pipe band. The reasons are as varied as the people who...

Wake and District
4 days ago3 min read
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Milestones and Music.
These past few days, our band had the honor of bringing music to graduation ceremonies across the region—celebrating milestones, marking...

Wake and District
6 days ago1 min read
8 views
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Play With Purpose
At Wake & District, we don’t just play notes—we play with purpose. Every beat, every note, every tune we put into the world is grounded...

Wake and District
May 91 min read
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We rise or fall as one.
In pipe band, excellence doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through discipline, humility, and teamwork. And above all, it’s built on...

Wake and District
May 22 min read
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Our New Voice:
The world of pipe bands in North America is evolving fast. More bands are forming, competition standards keep climbing, and we expect...

Wake and District
Apr 182 min read
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You Decide.
Inspired by Mel Robbins’ “The Let Them Theory” “No matter what happens around you, you decide how it will affect you.” That truth hits...

Wake and District
Mar 241 min read
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St. Patrick's Day 2025 - Marching On
"The best bands don’t operate on autopilot. They stay present, intentional, and aware." Those words from our Pipe Major, Adrian Melvin,...

Wake and District
Mar 232 min read
14 views
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In the Circle, We Are All Equal
“In the circle we are all equal. When in the circle, no one is in front of you. No one is behind you. No one is above you. No one is...

Wake and District
Mar 221 min read
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So as we train…
In Public Safety, the principle of train like you fight ensures readiness when it matters most. The same applies to pipe bands preparing...

Wake and District
Mar 91 min read
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Thinking Fast, Playing Smart: The OODA Loop in Pipe Bands
The OODA Loop—Observe, Orient, Decide, Act—is a decision-making framework developed by military strategist John Boyd. It’s designed for...

Wake and District
Mar 12 min read
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Reconnaissance Through Battle.
Razvedka boyem —reconnaissance through battle—is a concept that applies well beyond military strategy. The idea is simple: you push...

Wake and District
Feb 162 min read
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Non-Negotiables in Pipe Band
A successful pipe band operates with discipline, consistency, and a shared commitment to excellence. Rehearsals are where the foundation...

Wake and District
Feb 102 min read
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Bagpipers and Drummers Are Friends
Bagpipers and Drummers Are Friends: A Lesson from Frog and Toad — in Arnold Lobel’s beloved children’s book Frog and Toad Are Friends ,...

Wake and District
Feb 82 min read
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Expectancy determines outcome.
We’ve all heard the phrase “you get out what you put in,” but there’s more to it than just effort. The way you approach practice,...

Wake and District
Feb 12 min read
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Metaphors, Music, and Mindset: An Essay on Excellence
Excellence is a concept that resonates deeply in music, art, and life. It’s not about being perfect but about striving for something...

Wake and District
Jan 222 min read
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Bagpipes: The Original Messenger in the Mist
In an age when our fingers fly over keyboards to send emails and thumbs tap away on screens to send texts, it’s easy to forget that not...

Wake and District
Dec 25, 20242 min read
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A Defining Year
As we prepare to close another extraordinary year, I’m filled with immense pride and gratitude for each of you. Your hard work,...

Wake and District
Dec 24, 20242 min read
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The Beat That Speaks
Throughout history, percussion has been more than just rhythm. It has been a voice. Across cultures and centuries, drums and percussive...

Wake and District
Dec 17, 20242 min read
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Leadership Lessons in Harmony: Tackling Challenges with Positivity
In the world of pipe bands, as in any organization, problems are inevitable. Reeds may go out of tune, drumsticks may falter, and...

Wake and District
Dec 1, 20242 min read
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Together, we can seriously do anything.
There’s a quote that says, “All you need is a little delusion and audacity, and you can seriously do anything in this life.” It’s a bold...

Wake and District
Nov 24, 20243 min read
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